Security changes to be implemented at Carteret Courthouse

Published: Friday, August 29, 2014 at 07:49 AM.

BEAUFORT | Visitors to the Carteret County Courthouse for court or to conduct county business may notice a few changes later this year as new security measures are implemented.

Carteret County Sheriff Asa Buck said security improvements, including the purchase of metal detector stations to be installed at two main entrances at the courthouse building, are moving forward following this month’s approval of plans by the county Board of Commissioners.

“There is still a lot to do to get people trained and get equipment purchased and in place, and we’ll be putting out information before we start to let people know what will be happening,” he said.

The goal for implementation is Nov. 1, Buck said.

The county began discussing the issue early last year after the county received letters from Chief Resident Superior Court Judge Ben Alford and Clerk of Court Pam Hanson regarding the need to implement additional security measures at the courthouse.

A committee was formed and several recommendations approved, primarily in regard to the large number of access points into the building. There are 11 exterior doors leading into the courthouse facility, many of which are not required for public use.

The county initially completed some minor, inexpensive measures such as locking doors for areas not for public use and that don’t involve ingress and egress.

BEAUFORT | Visitors to the Carteret County Courthouse for court or to conduct county business may notice a few changes later this year as new security measures are implemented.

Carteret County Sheriff Asa Buck said security improvements, including the purchase of metal detector stations to be installed at two main entrances at the courthouse building, are moving forward following this month’s approval of plans by the county Board of Commissioners.

“There is still a lot to do to get people trained and get equipment purchased and in place, and we’ll be putting out information before we start to let people know what will be happening,” he said.

The goal for implementation is Nov. 1, Buck said.

The county began discussing the issue early last year after the county received letters from Chief Resident Superior Court Judge Ben Alford and Clerk of Court Pam Hanson regarding the need to implement additional security measures at the courthouse.

A committee was formed and several recommendations approved, primarily in regard to the large number of access points into the building. There are 11 exterior doors leading into the courthouse facility, many of which are not required for public use.

The county initially completed some minor, inexpensive measures such as locking doors for areas not for public use and that don’t involve ingress and egress.

The two major initiatives now being addressed are the metal detectors and use of card readers for access by those who work in the building.

Buck said details for a policy on use of the card readers are still being finalized, and the equipment for two metal detection stations is in the process of being acquired.

“There will be metal detectors at two main entrances, one at the entrance in front of the District Courtroom and one on the administrative office side,” Buck said. “All other exterior doors will be locked.”

The county will be contracting with a private security company for two security officers to conduct the screening of visitors to the courthouse complex. They will be screened by walk-through metal detectors, and bags will be searched to ensure that no weapons or contraband are brought into the facility.

The screening will be supplemented by two additional deputy sheriffs assigned to the Bailiff Division of the Carteret County Sheriff’s Office.

The $215,000 expense of the security improvements is included in the current budget. The cost includes $155,000 for personnel, $10,000 for metal detection equipment and $50,000 for card access measure.